gatineau



Feb. 7, 1956 R. D. GATINEAU TEMPLATES Filed June 24, 1953 INVENTOR RAYMOND b. GATINEAU ATTO ZNEY nite States Patent cc 2,733,513 :TEMPLATES Raymond D. Gatineau,.Southbridge, Mass. Application June 24, 1953, Serial No. 363,836 2 Claims. (CL 33-174 This invention relates to improvements in templates and has particular reference to the provision of a template for use in establishing the location, outline, shape, d mension, and proper vertical or horizontal disposition of a hole which is to be cut in a wall, baseboard or the like toreceive oneor more electrical switch boxes of standard type.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provlde a template having a controlled contour shape substantially equivalent to a face-on shadow image of a standard switch box and of the size of said switch box and embodying means for establishing the location, outline, and proper vertical .or horizontal disposition of a hole which is to be cut to receive one or more of such switch boxes.

Another object is to provide a template of the above character having a clearance opening therein through which the protruding wires of the line circuit may be extended to enable the template to be fitted in intimate relation with the wall or the like.

Another object is to provide a device of the above character inthe form of a rectangular member having its outer contour controlled to simulate the size and shape of a standard switch box and having centering means, alignment means and leveling means thereon to enable said device to be properly located and held in a vertical orhorizontal position against a wall, baseboard or the like, where'the switch box is to be located, whereby a linernay be marked or scribed about the contour thereof to accurately determine the location and path of cut when forming an opening for receiving said switch box.

Another object is to provide a. template of the above character with means thereon for. enabling a plurality of adjacent openings to be properly laid out for cutting to receive a plurality of switch boxes, whereby their ultimate position, size, and level may be more positively controlled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction and arrangement of parts shown and described as the preferred form only has been given by way of illustration.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front partial perspective view of the device embodying the invention and diagrammatically illustrating its use;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the device illustrating its use in forming openings for a plurality of receptacles;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as on line 3-3 of Fig. l and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on line 2,733,513 Patented Feb. 7, 1956 2 4-4 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The device-embodying the invention is a template for aiding an electrician in properly locating, leveling, and cutting an opening for receiving one or more receptacles for electrical switches, either in a horizontal or verticad position, and which will insure that the resultant switch will not only be properly located but will be level or vertically when the installation is completed. The template not only has its contour shape controlled to insure proper intimate fit of the switch box internally of the opening resulting therefrom, but also provides for clearance of parts of the switch box which protrude outwardly of its main contour. The template also has centering and gauge lines thereon for establishing proper vertical and horizontal center lines, and proper positional relation of a plurality of such openings and further has leveling means thereon for insuring that the switch box will be level either horizontally or vertically when fitted within the opening. The cut in forming the opening follows a line which is marked or scribed about the contour of the template after it has been properly located and aligned against a Wall, baseboard or other location where the switch box is to be installed. The device removes all guesswork as to location and alignment of the switch box and as to the size and contour shape of the opening which is to be cut to receive the switch box or plurality of such switch boxes.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, the device embodying the invention comprises a main body portion 6 having substantially parallel outer side edges 7 spaced a distance apart substantially equal to the width of a standard electrical switch box and having substantially parallel outer end edges 8 spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the distance between the opposed ends of the switch box. The said side edges 7 are each provided with a cylindrically shaped protuberance 9 and the end edges 8 are also each provided with a cylindrically shaped protuberance 10, whereby the said side edges 7 and end edges 8, together with said protuberances, will provide a template about which a line may be marked or scribed as guide means for controlling the position of cut when forming an opening in the wall, baseboard or other location at which the switch box'is to be installed. The protuberances 9 provide a clearance for the conventional tongue and screw means which forms a part of the switch box for holding the sides of said switch box in assembled relation with the end walls thereof, and the protuberances 10 provide a clearance for the conventional attachment tongues of the switch box by means of which it is secured in proper position in the opening cut in the wall, baseboard or other location.

It might be said for ease of definition that the template is of the general size of the switch box and has a contour shape which is substantially that of a face-on shadow image of said box with the portions of the shadow formed by the protruding portions of the box being formed with curved contours for providing clearance for said portions.

The main body portion 6 has a central cut-out area 11 formed with at least one inner side wall 27 substantially parallel with an outer side edge 7 and a substantially normally related inner end wall 28 substantially parallel with an outer end edge 8. This cut-out area provides an opening through which the wires 12 of the main line circuit which normally protrude outwardly of the wall, baseboard or the like, as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, may extend and thereby enable the device to be intimately positioned against said wall .or the like. Each of said normally related's'ide walls and 28 of the cut-out area is provided with level means 13 and 14. Each of said level means comprises'a sealed curved tube '15 of "glass -or other transparent material having a liquid 16 therein of an amount controlled so as to allow a bubble 17 to remain in said tube. A recess 19 is formed in each of said normally relate'dtside walls 27' and 28 for receiving therein a tube 15. The tube 15, in each instance, is secured in adjusted position by a suitable quick-drying composition 20, such as cement, plaster, or the like. The said composition 20 is initially formed to a relatively soft pliable consistency whereby the tube 15 may beinitially positioned to extend in the direction of a respective edge 7 or 8 which is resting on a level surface. The tube is positioned with its convex side upwardly, and is moved in said composition 20 until the bubble assumes a position centrally of spaced centering lines .13 formed on the upwardly curving convex side wall of the tube. The said tubes 15 are curved upwardly so as to insure that the bubble assumes a position adjacent said centering lines 18, as shown in Fig. 3. vvhen the composition hardens, it securely holds the tubes in proper adjusted position. Shouldered recesses 21 are formed insurrounding relation with the recesses 19 and are each adapted to receive a slotted plate 22 which is secured in said shouldered recesses by screws or the like 23. The leveling means 13 and 14 provide means for leveling the template either vertically or'horizontally.

The main body portion 6 is provided with horizontal gauge lines 24 and vertical gauge lines '25 on the opposed sides and adjacent edges thereof, whereby the accurate location of the vertical or horizontal center lines of the switch'box may be predetermined andrnarked after the template has been properly located and leveled in engagement with the wall, baseboard or other location where the openingfor the switch box is to be cut. The main body portion 6.is further provided with gauge lines 26, formed both on the face and end edges thereof, a distance inwardly of the adjacent side edges of the device substantially equal to the thickness of aside wall of the switch box to provide aligningmeans for determining the proper location and relation of a plurality of openings which are to be cut to receive -.a plurality of switch boxes.

'When multiple switch boxes are to be used, at least one of the inner side wall portions thereof, which normally would assume'a contiguous relation with each other, is removed and ..the spaced relation of the gauge lines 26 is so controlled that when the said switch boxes are thereafter placed in the opening resulting from the use of the template, as diagrammatically: illustrated in Fig. 2, the said switch boxes willintimately fit within said 1 opening. his to be understood that the opening, as determined by the .use of the .template,may be formed to receive one, two, three, or more switch boxes.

It is further to be understood that switch boxes as madeby different companies are standardized as tosize, shape, and structural :details, whereby the template, as described above, may be used for predetermining-the size, location, and levelof-the openings which are formed to receive said switch boxes.

The template is preferably formed with substantial thickness to afford ease in holding it in position during the tracing or scribing of a line about the contour thereof, .but it-is to be understood'that .it may be formed to any thickness desired.

It is further to be understood that the template may be formed of .metal, plastic,.or other suitable materials and provides extremely simple, .eificient, and economical means for accomplishing all of the objects and advantages of the invention. and of :removing all guesswork and doubt in properly locating, leveling, and cutting holes of the .character described;

iliaving described vmy invention, I claim: .l. A template for :use in cutting switch .bo-x outlet openings in walls .or .the like comprising a ,bodyportion having an :outer rectangularly shaped contour dimensioned to lie within the confines of the opening to be subsequently formed in the wall or the like and having an inner substantially rectangularly shaped open area offset with respect to the outer contour, said body portion having one relatively wide side wall and a normally related wide end wall, and further having a relatively narrow side wall and a substantially normally related relatively narrow end wall, the thickness of said body portion being substantially similar in dimension to the width of said wide side Wall, semi-circularly contoured protrusions extending outwardly of the opposed upper and lower end walls substantially centrally thereof and said side walls each having a semi-circularly contoured protrusion extending outwardly thereof, one adjacent the upper end of one side wall and the other adjacent the lower end of the opposed side wall, said outward extensions being in locations controlled according to the position of means on said switch box which protrude outwardly of the contour thereof, said relatively wide side and end walls having inner surfaces substantially parallel with the outer edges of said respective walls and I in substantially normal relation with each other, said relatively wide side and end wallseach having .a recessed portion with an open side communicating with said inner open area, leveling means in each of said recesses disposed in a direction longitudinally of said respective side and end walls with the major portion thereof lying inwardly of the planes of said inner surfaces, and spaced gauge lines on the upper and lower sides of said body portion disposed substantially parallel with the plane of the adjacent opposed outer side surfaces of said side walls and spaced inwardly. thereof a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a side wall'of the switch box and spaced relative to each other a controlled amount to provide aligning means for determining the proper location and size of openings which are to be cut to receive a given plurality of adjacently related switch boxes.

v2. A template for use in cutting switch box outlet openings in walls or the like comprising a body portion having an outer rectangularly shaped contour dimensioned to lie within the confines of the opening to be subsequently formed in the wall or the like and having an inner substantially rectangularly shaped open area offset with respect to the outer contour, said body portion having onerelatively wide side wall and a normally related wide end wall, and further having a relatively narrow side wall and 'a substantially normally related elatively narrow end wall, the thickness f s id b dy portion being substantially similar in dimension to the Width of said wide side wall, semi-circularly contoured protrusions extending outwardly of the opposed upper and lower end walls substantially centrally thereof and said side walls each having a semi-circularly contoured protrusion extending outwardly thereof, one adjacent theupper .end of one side wall and the other adjacent the lower end of the opposed side wall, said outward extensions .being in locations controlled according to the position of means .on said switch box which protrude outwardly of the contour thereof, said relatively wide side and end walls having inner surfaces substantially parallel with the outer edges of said respective walls and in substantially normal relation with each other, said relatively wide side and-end .Walls each having a recessed portion with an open side communicating with said inner open area, leveling means in each of said recesses disposed in a direction longitudinallyof said respective side and end Walls with the major portion thereof lying inwardlyof the planesof said inner surfaces-vertically and horizontally disposed center lines on-the outer face of said body portion and located centrally with respect to the outer edges of said opposed side and end walls, and spaced gauge lines on the upper an lower sides of said body portion disposed substantially parallel with the plane of the adjacent opposed .outer side surfaces of said side walls and spaced inwardly thereof a'distance substantially equal to the thickness of a side wall of the switch box and spaced relative to each other a controlled amount to provide aligning means for determining the proper location and size of openings which are to be cut to receive a given plurality of adj-acently related switch boxes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hutton Mar. 22, 1892 Steedman Mar. 14, 1893 Searle Oct. 4, 1921 Hansen May 3, 1927 Waltke Oct. 16, 1928 Fournet June 13, 1950 Johnson Jan. 30, 1951 Little Aug. 4, 1953 

